Music for Young Children allows kids as young as two years old to learn about music in a fun way

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"Music for Young Children is the only child-centred music learning system that integrates keyboard, creative movement, rhythm, ear training, sight reading, theory, and composition," says Doris Sabean of Moncton.

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Photo Contributed

Gillian Throop, Reuben Smith, Tolkien Merrigan, Kiona Osowski, Jack Brennan and Hannah Kenny pose with MYC teacher Tanya Bostick at their Christmas party.

Photo Contributed

Noah Hillier (left) with his dad, Jamie Hillier, and Nolan Dobbin (right) with dad Blaise Dobbin play tambourines during a Music for Young Children class.

Doris is the New Brunswick and PEI Co-ordinator of this popular program, which originated in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1980, and has since spread to five countries. It uses piano as the vehicle to basic musical training, and has programmes tailored to each age level between two and twelve, beginning with the pre-keyboard 'Sunrise' programme.

"I love teaching Music for Young Children," Doris goes on. "We use games, movement, and involve the senses of hearing, sight and touch. The kids seem to love it, and we teach groups of three to six at a time, which helps and encourages both the children and the parents.

"A parent always accompanies their child, learns to work with him or her, so there is continuity between the lesson and the home. As the child advances, the parent eventually moves into the background."

Younger beginners take four to five years to graduate, whereas for older ones it takes usually around two years. By the time a student has completed their time in MYC, they are prepared for Grade I Conservatory examinations.

"All our instruction and learning tools are age-appropriate, and we successfully teach theory, ear training, playing, and composition," Doris explains. "It's wonderful."

MYC teachers meet regularly to exchange ideas, techniques, and support, which is another strength of the program. This is Doris' 18th year as an MYC teacher, and she currently has some 40 students.

If Moncton is a little far for you to go for music lessons, there is a Music for Young Children teacher in Sackville, as well. Tanya Bostick is in her fourth year of MYC teaching, which follows from 13 years in the school system and private teaching. Both she and percussionist husband Shawn are Mount Allison graduates, and together they are the Bostick School of Music.

"It's phenomenal that kids five and six years old are harmonizing their scales, and they know when it's wrong," says Tanya enthusiastically. "The programme is comprehensive, and whole-child, and I grabbed right onto it. Any child can be successful. Everything leads naturally on to the next step."

Tanya teaches over 90 children in the Sackville area, and runs a summer music camp as well. This year the camp will be affiliated with OKQuoi? for the first time. Some of her students also work with Shawn. She also runs a programme for infants six months to two years called Musicpups, which is not connected with MYC, but complements it well.

"I love music, and I love kids," she says, "and MYC can accommodate itself to any child."

And says Doris, "Even if the students don't go on to be musicians, studies have shown that they still benefit from our programme in the areas of language and science."

If you'd like more information from Doris, you can dial 382-8280, or visit myc.com. Tanya can be reached at 364 -9101 or bostickmusicgroup.com.